In the summer of 2016 Jason Phipps, the elementary music teacher for the Ridgway Area School District, staged a production of Jesus Christ Superstar using singers, actors and musicians from the area.  We were asked to serve as technical directors for the production which was staged at the Ridgway Area High School Auditorium.  Mr. Phipps had a unique vision for the production which included non conventional casting (among other things Judas was a woman and Herod was a drag queen) and the integration of live and recorded video on a screen built into the set.  Mr. Phipps and his crew built the set and left us a hole for the screen and also asked us to handle rigging a retracting platform and sliding doors.  Installing the projector was a challenge as there was only 8 feet between the set and the back wall of the stage.  We reached into our bag of tricks and were able to get a full size image with that short throw distance. 
    We designed a video switching system to go between the recorded segments and the two live cameras.  Judas' final song after her death was to look like it was being sung from hell so we created a set with rear projected flames and fire-like lighting.  With this song and one other being sung from backstage the performers couldn't see the conductor so we also put in a camera system so they could see the conductor.
    Stacie, our lighting designer, wanted to have some fun with the lighting but as this was a high school auditorium there wasn't much space to hang lights so to be as flexible as possible we hung one frontlight wash with scrollers and the other with ColorFaders which let her create any color needed.  She used several different gobo washes (with ColorFaders) to create visual texture and had us custom modify Source 4's so they could be used as followspots from the lighting cove so that she could have steep angles (and of course she put ColorFaders in them!).  She added high sides and multiple washes of backlight so she could set any mood.  And what rock musical would be complete without a few moving lights, hazers and a 150 light bulbs chasing around the proscenium?
    The show was an incredible success, with some viewers saying it was better than the Broadway version.  We work with Mr. Phipps several times each year when he directs school plays and he always has a few challenges for us, but this took things to the next level!  We look forward to another production in the future.

The Priests meet to discuss the Jesus problem

The Priests address the crowd of disciples

Judas is tempted by the Priests

Jesus questions his faith at Gethsemane

Herod and his girls

Pilate prepares to whip Jesus

Angles rejoice as Judas sings from Hell